Two goals from Ethan Jones and another from Joel Carta give Town the win
Town 3 Burnley 1
Saturday 5th April 2014
Alliance League
Town: Alex Ashton, Jack Butts, Nathan Millis, Edward Jackson (Dom Smith 45), Ben Burton, Joel Carta, Joseph Kenton, Niall Flint (Alex Fletcher 45), Matthew Allen (Josh Ginnelly 70), Ethan Jones, Thomas King
Subs: Ryan Hickman, Jeff Watkins
Goals: E.Jones (2), J.Carta
The Shrewsbury Town team was made of the remaining first year scholars as well as five trialists and three of the u16s who are hoping to get a scholarship.
The first half started well for Town with good possession and on 12 minute a goal scoring opportunity arose when Tom King has intercepted the ball on the left and crossed in to find Ethan Jones on the penalty spot, he puts in a good shot but that is saved well.
We continued to have good possession and on the 16 minute a through ball from Niall Flint found Ethan Jones on the edge of the box, he then set the ball to Joel Carta who moved the ball round his marker before hitting a shot into the far corner to make it 1-0 to Town.
Town continued to play well and create chances throughout the first half, Joe Kenton chested down and shot over the bar from 20 yards. A run from midfield by Matthew Allen saw him run 30 yards towards goal before setting up Nathan Jones whose shot was just wide.
Town continued to the shine and on 35 minutes Ethan Jones got onto the end of another good through ball and made no mistake with his shot to make it 2-0 to Town.
Burnley started to react and put the Town defence under pressure which continued with the visitors getting a goal back just before the half-time break.
An encouraging half-time talk which was based around the game was won if they didn’t score and giving the lads the aim to keep possession of the ball.
Town went out with that attitude and with less than 10 minutes of the half gone Town got a third goal with Ethan Jones getting his second goal of the game.
The youngsters began to tire after about 60 minutes but defended well to deal with some good pressure from Burnley. Town continued to create chances of their own but did the hard work to see the game out.
After the game Town’s Academy Manager Steve Reece was pleased with the work from his side:”A very encouraging performance and very pleased with the way the boys applied themselves in what was quite a nerve wracking experience.
“Overall a good performance and a good result which hopefully bodes well for the future.”